Greetings, I am hoping someone can help me understand how NLS_SORT influences sorting or point me at documentation which will explain things. I don't understand it. Here is the scenario... SQL> show parameter nls_sort NAME TYPE ------------------------------------ -------------------------------- VALUE ------------------------------ nls_sort string GENERIC_BASELETTER A select statement appears to ignore case... SQL> select * from dba_roles where role = 'connect'; ROLE PASSWORD ------------------------------ -------- CONNECT NO Now if I set NLS_SORT=binary... SQL> alter session set nls_sort=binary; Session altered. SQL> select * from dba_roles where role = 'connect'; no rows selected I must explicitly specify case... SQL> select * from dba_roles where role = 'CONNECT'; ROLE PASSWORD ------------------------------ -------- CONNECT NO nls_language = AMERICAN Where can I find an explanation of what is going on here? Thanks. Bill Wagman Univ. of California at Davis IET Campus Data Center wjwagman@xxxxxxxxxxx (530) 754-6208 -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l